What's the easiest way to intake nutrients during a ride/run

[Bike Chick]

I use Power Bars before a run and during a ride and use gels during both runs and rides. I stick to water for hydration.

Be careful washing gels down with Gatorade. During the MS150 a couple years ago I drank more Gatorade than water that weekend because of the heat and ended up with thrush in my mouth and throat. It was very painful and I have stayed away from Gatorade ever since.

[Biciclista]

i have rarely used gels. I drink a lot, and eat food too. Energy bars are great. they make some that are delicious and digestible.

[oz rider]

I'm not sure how to vote either, cos it depends on the distance. I'll usually use a banana first, then a Cadel bar (tastiest, not just cos he's Aussie heheh) and then gels. If it's a big day (200km) I'd take along some date loaf or something tasty as well. And just plain water; some sports drinks don't agree with me so I don't bother with them any more.

[OakLeaf]

Another "it depends."

On the bike, HEED in my water bottles for anything over an hour and a half (pretty much every ride). Over four hours, I need protein, and my first choice is a tuna salad or egg salad sandwich at a snack stop.

For running, gels. I don't put anything but water and Endurolytes in my hydration bladder because of the difficulty cleaning it. I experimented with various natural substances in lieu of gels (rice syrup, barley malt, molasses), and I seem to do okay with these during the run, but afterward, if I had more than a nominal amount of fructose, my stomach will be upset for hours. So it's commercial gels for me.

Again, over about three hours (definitely a shorter time running than riding) I need protein. I'm still experimenting. Yesterday I mixed up some Perpetuem paste, which I really dislike using soy protein, but hope it won't hurt me if I only use it on rare occasions. It was near impossible to dispense, but what I could get into my mouth went down fine and seemed to sustain me really well. I'm thinking next time I try this, I'll wrap "loaves" of it in waxed paper. Anyone else who mixes Perpetuem paste, how do you dispense it? Really, I'd like to try some hummus on a run. Again, I think I'd have to form it into loaves, wrap them in waxed paper, and freeze them before a run, but it's worth a try...

[staceysue]

I fill my water bottles about 1/4 full of real lemonade and maybe eat a nut rollup if I need it. It seems to do the trick fpr me, but I don't cycle competitively.

[XMcShiftersonX]

I do all three on a given ride. Obviously reaching for your water bottle and downing some Perpetuem is the easier of the options, so you don't have to stop etc. But, I am learning how to eat Gu while riding so I don't waste time stopping, and next will be Clif bars

[roadie gal]

Sports drink during the ride and then, depending on the intensity and the heat, either a recovery drink or food after. I use a custom Infinit mixture on my rides and runs.